Pakistani runners Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi made history at the 129th Boston Marathon by setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon completed in traditional shalwar kameez. They finished the 26.2-mile course in 3 hours, 27 minutes.
The duo from Karachi became the first to run the prestigious race in under four hours while wearing Pakistan’s loose-fitting national attire.
Starting and finishing together, Elahi and Shafi dedicated their achievement to Pakistan. “This record is for all of Pakistan,” Elahi told a local news outlet. “Setting a record in a historic race like Boston is unforgettable.” Shafi added, “We aimed to project Pakistan’s positive image globally.” Their synchronized effort, clad in green and white, drew admiration from fellow runners and spectators along the route from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
Elahi also celebrated a personal milestone, earning the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal, joining an elite group of approximately 17,000 runners worldwide who have completed all six major marathons: Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo. Shafi, already a Six Star Finisher in 2024, qualified for Boston with a 2:58:09 time at Berlin 2023.
The Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon, hosted over 50,000 runners and drew an estimated one million spectators. Despite logistical challenges, including limited training in shalwar kameez due to Guinness documentation hurdles, Elahi and Shafi’s feat captivated global attention. Upon returning to Pakistan, they plan to hold celebrations to share their milestone with supporters, further inspiring the nation’s growing running community.